REMEMBERING

Jerry D. Vandeventer

Mark Cosby

August 15, 2018

To the Vandeventer family... first of all on behalf of my Family we want to extend our deepest condolences. My fondest memory of working with Jerry is a very good one. We met at St. Joe’s same day surgery center, discovered that both of us were Veterans so we hit it off immediately. One day we had finished early with our cases started talking about family, kids and so on. He would always talk about his Daughter (Sharon) that’s in the NAVY and I never did think anything of it, I don’t think he mentioned her name? I told him that I had two kids and showed him their pics, so he proceeds to open his wallet and shows a photo of his family and to the top of my lungs I yell OMG!!! That’s Kay!!! Sharon’s middle name. Sharon along with her husband Chris and I were stationed in Italy for 3 years. that was a really good day! what a small world we live in. Jerry! Big guy... Rest In Peace. You are one to emulate and you will be greatly missed. If there is anything we can do please reach out. (813) 760-2257

Melissa Munson

August 13, 2018

I am so sorry to hear of Jerry's passing. I did not get the opportunity to know very many people in Ruth's family as a child, but we got to spend a lot of time with your family and I am forever grateful for that! He was an amazing man and he will be sorely missed. I am sorry that I am not able to be there today to pay my respects and give you all a hug, but please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Sending you all my love!

Heather Kopelman

August 13, 2018

I am a Preop nurse and have worked with Jerry at St. Joseph's North for the last 4 years. He was such a kind and inspirational man. I always enjoyed hearing his stories. He could always find a way to connect to every patient he picked up. I'll always remember him talking about sports while he sat in preop waiting for the surgeon to arrive. I'll miss seeing him in that chair. He was an amazing man and I am fortunate to have been able to know and work with him. My deepest condolences to his family. I hope your memories and hearing ours bring you some comfort during such a difficult time.

Deborah Hoffman

August 12, 2018

I worked with Jerry at both St. Joseph’s Same Day Surgery, then at St. Joseph’s North. He was a really great person to work with! Always calm and easy going. Very caring in his manner and professional in his work. We lost a special person on August 8th. Heartfelt sympathy to his family.

Butch Nelson

August 11, 2018

My deepest and most heartfelt sympathies go out to Jerry's family at home and his work family whom I had the honor and pleasure to work alongside. I count myself blessed to have known Jerry and worked with him at St Joe's North in the OR for 5 years. We were together as the opening team at St Joe's North. Jerry's professionalism, expertise, calm demeanor and infectious laugh, taught us, guided, motivated us and made us the success we were. I miss that laugh and that smile and am truly shocked to hear of his passing and deeply saddened. Jerry was loved by many and his absence leaves an immense crater. He was a rock and you could always count on him. I will always miss him.

LuAnn Peters

August 10, 2018

Jerry was such a pleasure to work with. He was the kindest, most gentlest man! Jerry was a great nurse who knew his stuff! We all looked up to him for his knowledge, positivity, wittiness, and professionalism. Jerry was genuine and well respected. Whenever I spoke of my sons deployed in the military, Jerry always lent a kind ear and warm smile. I consider myself very lucky to have had the pleasure of knowing Jerry. My heart is very heavy. He is dearly missed.

Michelle Mulvihill

August 10, 2018

I am so sorry for your loss. I work at SJHN in the Pre-Op and PACU departments and often interacted with Jerry when he came to pick his patients up in Pre-Op. I will always remember what a kind gentleman Jerry was. I am grateful for his friendship and his service to our country. He will be missed dearly. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Cyndi Levine

August 10, 2018

Jerry was the best neighbor we could ask for. Always smiling, always willing to lend a hand. We had so many good times on the block at Halloween, 4th of July and of course, Lisas dance parties. This photo is from their Bollywood party last November - it says it all about Jerrys fun-loving nature and devotion to his wife, who he would apparently do or wear anything for. I will miss seeing him ride his bike or wave hello to me everytime I go for a run in the neighborhood. Villarosa will never be quite the same.

Edward Strawser

August 10, 2018

My deepest condolences go out to Liza, Dawn, Sharon, and Bryan. Jerry’s direct family. I was fortunate enough to have been able to share the past decades with this wonderful family. And Jerry was truly special. I was married to his niece Ruth for 30 years until her recent passing. And we shared some really magical times with Jerry and his family. He was always so athletic, so I thought he live to 90. His passing happened so quickly. I didn't even know his condition was serious. I'm truly taken back by this and deeply saddened. But I know Jerry was a good man and he is now at Lords side setting and chatting with his niece Ruth in heaven. May God be with him forever and ever.

Tara Atkinson

August 9, 2018

My deepest condolences go out to Jerry’s family. Jerry was one of a kind with a heart of gold. I was lucky to have worked with Jerry for 6 years at SJHN. Jerry was that guy that you could tell anything to and he would be a sound ear with great advice always. I remember listening to all of his wonderful stories about his family, his travels, and his beloved beer! I will never forget how much he loved to dance. Every Christmas party Jerry got out on that dance floor and just boogied the night away! I will also always remember his sandwich, apple, yogurt, and crystal light that he ate while he watched Jeopardy religously every day. Jerry’s smile and being lit up every room in that OR! Thank you Jerry for being you and showing all of us how to live, laugh and love! Jerry- till we meet for our next round of jeopardy.....

Ali Wilson

August 9, 2018

I met Jerry during those early days at St. Joe’s North, when we opened the place.Those days bring back great memories of what a great team we were.I was surprised and terribly saddened to hear of his passing.I admired his reserve...nothing could fluster him! He stayed above the fray. What a delightful, dignified man. I can hear his laugh...He was a good man and a great nurse. My condolences to his family and friends. We lost a great one...

Sarah Kumagai

August 9, 2018

To the Vandeventer Family,I first met Jerry about 13 years ago when I was a brand new anesthesiologist at St Joseph’s Hospital on Martin Luther. I would occasionally be sent to the surgery center. It was not my favorite place to work. Jerry and I met again at St Joseph’s North 4 years later. We both recalled working together before. I apologized if I had been cranky at the surgery center. He said that, no, I was nice to him, but he could definitely tell I didn’t like being down at the surgery center. We laughed. That was Jerry. Dry, humorous, and matter-of-fact.

There is a hole at St Joseph’s North. I know it will get easier with time, but Jerry was a one of a kind. I loved to give him a hard time whether it be 2 AM on call, or 7 AM for an early start in OR3. He gave it back to me and kept me laughing with his dry sense of humor. He was fair, dependable, and hard working. I nick-named him “Greased Lightening Vandeventer” for his fast turnovers. He was always willing to walk a little slower if I needed to go to the bathroom or get a snack, however.

I will miss Jerry’s dry sense of humor. I will miss his stories about he and Lisa’s vacations, his children, grandkids, and our brief and practical discussions on politics.

I am sorry for your loss. Jerry was a one of a kind.

The picture is from Miles for Moffitt five years ago. Jerry blew by me and placed in his age group. Wow!

Audrey Blendowski

August 9, 2018

My heart goes out to all of the Vandeventer family. Jerry was one of a kind, everyone in the OR truly loved him! He put the majority of us to shame with his agility, he loved those bike rides (and let’s be honest, he was at least 20 years older than the majority of us)!! He was a hard worker, always pleasant and a true friend. I’m blessed to have met Jerry, he will not be forgotten!

Virginia Griffee

August 9, 2018

I miss my favorite uncle.My heart is deeply saddened.My memories are deep in the Philippines with you and ante Lisa.I will forever be indebted to you for all you did for me

Debbie Kaplan

August 9, 2018

I want to send my heart felt condolences to Jerry’s whole family. I have met some of you and heard a lot of stories about all of you. I am an anesthesiologist who worked with Jerry back in the old Kindred days and then we both ended up at st joe’s north. He loved you all more than anything. And I spent many days and nights on call with him. The OR is a strange place where you get to know people very well. Jerry was my favorite, strong, dependable and kind to everyone as long as it wasn’t time for him to eat his lunch that he brought diligently everyday as he sat down to watch wheel of fortune. I will miss him. He was the best in my book! There is nothing else to say except that the OR won’t be the same to me knowing he is gone. My deepest sympathyDebbie Kaplan

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